Germany pledges continued support to Kurdish Peshmerga forces in Erbil talks

ERBIL, Iraq — Germany's Director-General for Armed Forces, General Schneider, and the country's regional consul met with Kurdistan Regional Government Peshmerga Minister Shorsh Ismail in Erbil to discuss ongoing military and diplomatic cooperation after the formal end of Berlin's mission under the international coalition against ISIS. According to a Peshmerga Ministry statement, Ismail thanked the German side for its role in fighting ISIS and called for stronger ties with the United States, Germany and other allied countries. General Schneider said the conclusion of Germany's coalition mission does not mean the end of the partnership, adding that Berlin would continue to support efforts to build Peshmerga capacity. Germany's new consul in Erbil, Christian Ulfka, pledged to deepen friendship with the Kurdistan Region and keep coordination channels open. Separately, the Peshmerga Ministry announced that German military advisers had completed their duties at the Stefan camp located within Erbil International Airport. No further details on the next phase of cooperation were immediately available.